Alipay & WeChat Pay: Foreign Card Payment Limits
For a complete overview of all payment options in China, please read our Ultimate Guide to Paying in China.
Exceeds payment limit or Transaction amount exceeds the limit. This often happens with large purchases.Why It Happens
For foreign users, there are official limits on how much you can pay with your international card through these apps.
- Platform Rules: Alipay and WeChat have set limits for foreign cards based on regulations.
- Your Own Bank's Limits: Your personal credit card has its own daily spending limit.
- Merchant Restrictions: Some small shops or individual sellers cannot accept payments funded by foreign cards.
Understanding the Limits (Updated 2025)
These are the official limits set by the platforms for foreign card users. Note: These can change.
| Limit Type | Approximate Amount (CNY) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single Transaction Limit | ~ ¥6,000 - ¥7,000 | The maximum for one single payment. |
| Annual Cumulative Limit | ~ ¥70,000 | The total amount you can spend in one year. |
How to Manage These Limits
Solution for Large Payments: Split the Transaction
If you need to buy something expensive (e.g., an item for ¥10,000), you cannot pay for it in one transaction.
What to do: Ask the shopkeeper if you can pay in two parts. For example, make two separate payments of ¥5,000 each. This is a very common practice.
Solution for Merchant Restrictions
If your payment fails at a small shop or a street vendor, it's likely they cannot accept foreign card payments. This is not your fault.
What to do: Try to pay at a larger, more established store like a major supermarket, restaurant chain, or department store. They are more likely to accept it.
Can I Increase These Limits?
For most tourists and short-term visitors, these limits are fixed. Increasing them requires advanced identity verification (providing passport, visa, and residency details) which is a more complex process typically for long-term residents.